Chinese tourist arrivals to Morocco climbed to a record 200,000 visitors in 2025, nearly doubling from 106,000 a year earlier, as restored direct flights and deepening economic ties between Rabat and Beijing accelerated the recovery of one of the world’s largest outbound tourism markets.
Morocco’s ambassador to China, Abdelkader El Ansari, disclosed the figures during events marking the 10th anniversary of Mohammed VI’s official visit to China, a trip widely seen as a turning point in bilateral relations after Morocco abolished visa requirements for Chinese citizens in 2016.
The latest figures underline how tourism has become increasingly intertwined with a broader expansion in Morocco China economic relations, which now extend into trade, logistics, renewable energy, batteries and electric vehicle manufacturing.
Before the visa waiver, Morocco attracted only around 10,000 Chinese tourists annually, according to tourism professionals. Arrivals jumped to more than 42,000 in 2016 before reaching roughly 141,000 visitors in 2019, just before the pandemic disrupted international travel flows.
Sector specialists say the latest rebound has been driven largely by improved air connectivity. Royal Air Maroc resumed direct Casablanca Beijing services, while new Casablanca Shanghai routes opened access to China’s eastern commercial centers. (moroccoworldnews.com)
Morocco’s tourism authorities have also stepped up promotion efforts across Chinese digital platforms and trade fairs, while hotels and tourism operators increasingly adapt services to Chinese travelers through Mandarin language support, Chinese payment systems and “China Ready” certification programs.
The tourism growth mirrors a wider expansion in bilateral economic ties. China has become Morocco’s third largest trading partner, with trade volumes exceeding $10 billion, while Chinese firms have expanded investments in strategic sectors including batteries, automotive manufacturing and renewable energy.
Still, tourism executives say Morocco captures only a fraction of China’s outbound tourism market, which exceeded 150 million international travelers annually before COVID 19.
Moroccan tourism officials and industry operators have increasingly floated targets ranging from 500,000 to one million Chinese visitors annually over the coming years as the kingdom positions itself as a regional gateway linking Africa, Europe and China.
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